HED Vanquish V45 Pro Disc Brake Wheelset

The HED Vanquish V45 Pro Disc Brake Wheelset sits at a depth that road racers have long understood as a practical sweet spot. Forty-five millimeters is enough to generate meaningful aerodynamic return on flat stretches and rolling terrain, but not so much that a sudden crosswind becomes a conversation with your handlebars. This is the wheelset you reach for when the route isn't predictable — when the forecast changes, the road surface is patchy, and you need equipment that doesn't ask you to make compromises before the ride even starts.

HED builds the Vanquish V45 Pro rims in the USA from full carbon, and the profile reflects genuine aerodynamic development rather than a depth chosen for marketing symmetry. The 30 mm external width paired with a 21 mm internal channel is a considered decision. Wider internal dimensions allow a 25c or 28c tire to mount at a more natural shape — less constricted, more rounded — which reduces aerodynamic drag at the tire-rim junction and lets the tire perform closer to how it was designed to behave. The hooked tubeless-compatible bead supports lower pressures, which translates directly to improved compliance and reduced rolling resistance on the kinds of surfaces most road rides actually include.

The Pro build is what separates this wheelset from a carbon rim on budget hardware. DT Swiss 350 CenterLock hubs anchor the build — a hub family with a long track record of reliable engagement, straightforward serviceability, and parts availability that doesn't depend on the manufacturer still supporting a niche standard five years from now. Front and rear are laced with Sapim CX-Ray bladed spokes at 24 holes each. CX-Ray spokes are recognized throughout professional wheel building for their combination of low weight, aerodynamic profile, and resistance to fatigue over time. The result is a wheel that's laterally stiff when you're sprinting or pushing hard through a corner, without carrying unnecessary rotational weight. Available in Shimano/SRAM 11-speed, XDR, and Campagnolo N3W driver configurations, the V45 Pro integrates cleanly with current drivetrain standards.

HED Vanquish V45 Pro Disc Specs at a Glance

• Rim Depth: 45 mm
• Internal Rim Width: 21 mm
• External Rim Width: 30 mm
• Construction: Full carbon, USA-made
• Brake Type: Disc brake
• Tubeless Compatibility: Hooked tubeless-ready
• Hubs: DT Swiss 350 CenterLock
• Spokes: Sapim CX-Ray bladed
• Spoke Count: 24 front / 24 rear
• Driver Options: HG11 (Shimano/SRAM 11s), XDR, Campagnolo N3W

Design Benefits

1. Wide Internal Channel for Better Tire Geometry: The 21 mm internal width allows modern road tires to mount at a more rounded profile, reducing the pinched shape that narrower rims impose. This improves aerodynamic efficiency at the tire-to-rim interface and supports the lower pressures that tubeless setups make possible — which means more traction and a more compliant ride on imperfect road surfaces.
2. Aerodynamic Depth Without Handling Penalties: At 45 mm, the V45 Pro is designed to provide meaningful drag reduction across a range of road conditions. The depth is deep enough to hold speed on exposed sections and rolling roads, but shallow enough that crosswind handling remains predictable — a balance that matters on longer rides and mixed-terrain routes where conditions shift.
3. DT Swiss 350 Hubs for Long-Term Reliability: The DT Swiss 350 is a hub that survives seasons of regular use without demanding attention. CenterLock rotor attachment is secure and widely compatible, the engagement mechanism is consistent, and the bearing and pawl components are available through any well-stocked shop. This isn't a hub that ages you out of serviceability.
4. Sapim CX-Ray Spokes for Stiffness and Durability: CX-Ray bladed spokes are a standard choice in high-quality wheel builds for good reason — their flattened profile reduces aerodynamic drag while their tensile properties resist fatigue over thousands of kilometers. The 24-spoke lacing pattern keeps rotational weight low while delivering the lateral stiffness that makes a wheelset feel responsive under hard efforts.

Final Take

The HED Vanquish V45 Pro is built for the rider who trains and races on the same wheels — someone who wants genuine aerodynamic performance without sacrificing handling in variable conditions or long-term serviceability. The component spec is honest: USA-made carbon rims, DT Swiss 350 hubs, and CX-Ray spokes form a combination that holds up to serious use. If you want a carbon disc wheelset that earns your confidence on the first ride and keeps it over the long haul, the V45 Pro makes that case clearly.